28/11/2015

Since becoming pregnant I wanted to create myself my very own channel creating an online video diary to document my daughters life, our family and all the things in between. I had so much bad luck with technology for almost a year that I gave up on the idea. It was not until I started blogging properly that I became interested again.

As soon as I was able I sat down on my little Ipad, tapped on imovie and gave my fingers their first go at editing footage. I created a small one minute video just giving a spinet introduction into our family and as I published it and viewed my video back, I began to tear up.

All that I've wanted since Penny was born was to capture her life in the best possible way, writing just was not enough, pictures no, video clips no, but a video diary? YES?! I was so emotional that evening I jumped on the sofa like an excited 6 year old opening up their toys on Christmas morning.

I've now done 4 videos and each time I pick up the camera my cringes are become less and less, I know i'll get used to talking to a camera one day. I am so enjoying vlogging right now that I am excited to learn all there is to know.

I hope this isnt too cheeky of me to ask, but if you have a free moment I would love it if you could pop on on over to my CHANNEL and take a look at our videos. See if you like them, give them a like if you do, and leave me a comment so we can chat. Any advice would be amazing! If you wouldnt mind subscribing also that would mean alot! If you search Lorraine Mulrooney into Youtube my videos will appear.

21/11/2015

I think this month has been the month of Penelope figuring out what she likes and dislikes. Its been a busy month to say the least. I feel like my hands are so full of dogs, work, and children at the moment I'm struggling to fit things in hense why things have gotten a little quiet on here, so sorry. Penny has been a brilliant little sprog though I must say shes been such a star lately and since starting to figuring out a discipline routine things are getting that tiny bit easier to handle, although at times I do want to scream my head off after stopping her from eating dog biscuits for the 100th time in a day.

Penny has started feeding herself foods like yogurts, porridge, and weetabix. Penny likes to be independent meaning if I try to assist her I get the biggest telling off. She can also use her fork with abit more control, she really tries hard to stab things onto it. All in the practice I say. Talking about feeding times, she has started to be quite selected some meal times about what she wants to eat. Sometimes all she wants is literally beans!! Its so hard to put a full plate of dinner in the bin because she just wont eat it. Woe is me... the kitchen slave.

I have seen 2 new teeth just the other day at a quick glimpse as she doesn't let me see, that's 10 teeth in total. There could be more. The last few days we have had one grumpy, very emotional Penelope. I notice her cheeks are flaring up alot and I am yet to get her to open her mouth wide enough to have a proper rumage around in there to have a little look see for more teeth. Thats my mission for the morning.

She is so much fun to play with! We sing and dance all day it seems, she wants to do puzzles and show me her toys it's becoming really interesting seeing her engage with me and actually having an understanding as to what we are playing. She always asks for everything 'again' if she enjoys it.

We went to see Peppa Pigs Surprise in the theatre last weekend and it was one of the most special memories I have with Penny. I couldn't believe how involved and interactive she was towards it, the happiness on her face just said it all. I want to write up about our whole experience there so will go into further detail in another post shortly.

Penelope has never been one to have real attachments to things before now, I mean I've always encouraged a blanket and soft rabbit toy because one day we will be taking away the dummy and shes going to need something to comfort her right? But she never really seemed fussed if they were around or not. Lately however she has completely attached herself to her blanket, at times its been the ONLY thing to reassure her when upset. It's been her go to comfort even if there's not a dummy around for her. She carries it around with her and even gives it to family showing it off.

We've started going to the library for Rhyme time on a Tuesday morning about a month ago and I am so proud of her everytime we go. She stands up proud and dances away to every single song. She gets involved and gets frustrated if they start talking only to demand another song. Also we go along to her playgroup on a Wednesday morning as a free play session with all the other children. She is becoming more confident and will defend whichever toys she has if someone tries to take it from her. We are working on her sharing. Its improving as she offers a toy to a child but then thinks 'no you cant actually take it' and pulls it back. Opps? She even tried to take a girls Peppa Pig top off her back as she wanted her jumper with Peppa on it. I tried so hard not to laugh. The jumper remained on the girl.

Introducing the Naughty Spot. This has been my life saver these past 2 weeks. I've really been firm in sticking to it. If Penelope does not listen to two/three warnings of me asking her not to do something then I will pick her up and place her sitting down in the naughty spot. Tell her to sit there and wait for one minute explaining she should not 'do whatever shes done' and I walk away to the other side of the room and pretend not to be paying her attention. It took a good few times getting up and down to put her back on the spot and she does tend to laugh and think its funny sometimes. But she knows to sit there and be quiet. for one minute. If she gets up I tell her to go and sit down, and she does it. Its amazing how at such a young age that this form of discipline is really working. I don't believe in shouting but I do tell her firmly that something is wrong. It takes a lot of patience and chocolate stress relief for myself but it's working.

So Penny wakes up pretty early around 5:00am-ish, I put her in our bed and she sleeps until 7am, this has been our routine for a while now. She wakes me up every morning around 7am by leaning over me to reach my glasses to give me so I get up. Its the cutest most thoughtful act from such a tiny little person. How observant she must be to know thats the first thing mummy needs to do when she wakes up...because I'm so so unable to see without them. It melts my heart.

She loves to be nude, its such hard work getting this girl dressed or to change her nappy and soon as clothes and nappies come off she off just as quickly. Lord help me!

Penny is really good at counting. She can count 1, 2, 3 and even point out to three things. It's abit scary to hear because okay she can say a fair few words but to actually count is rather shocking eek.

We got Penelopes potty on Tuesday at first we let her play around with it and I was telling her that wee wee's and poo poo's go in there and she was not interested at all, infact she saw it more as a toy she could open, close and put things in. After her dinner I stripped her bottom half off and I got a few books thinking we would be sitting on the potty for a fair while. Instead I sat down told Penny to sit on her potty and she did straight away. I opened the book and after about 4 words Penny started to get off the potty. I looked inside and she had actually done a wee! I couldn't believe it! I'm still in shock and now cant wait to begin trying to see how she gets on from now. I'm not going to be strict with her. I'm just going to go at her pace and try to keep it fun and relaxed as I can. I definitely don't want to pressure or frighten her away. Since then we have had 5 wee's and a poop.

I am able to finally put her hair in a tiny pony tail, this excites me so very much as it has been long awaited.

Penny has been frightened of a very few select toys that she was given when a lot younger. She is still absolutely terrified if I get them out to try to show her they aren't scary. She will tell you no or point into the toy box and say no no no until it's removed so she can access other toys. Is this normal? I think it's so bizarre as they look like any other toy to me.

Asking to see family members. She asks for her nana and nanny a lot. If we are out and about where we live she asks for nanny (Reese's mum) , if we are at home she checks the front door and asks for her nana (my mum). It's so cute but a little said when I have to say not today. She looks so disheartened.

She is drinking two bottles a day. She has one in the morning first thing before breakfast. This one I feel we may be dropping soon as she isn't fussed if she has it and easily replaces it with her breakfast if need be and will only want an earlier snack which is completely fine. The other bottle is a must before bed time she has 9 ounces and will most nights wake for another in the night.

Thankyou for reading and if you would like to leave a comment that would be more than welcomed.

08/11/2015

This year I wanted to get my Christmas shopping for Penelope done nice and early so I could relax a little better in the month upcoming to the holidays. Really I wanted to be able to spend more quality time doing festive activities without the dread of all the shopping I need to do. Usually I'm out rushing around in the days up to Christmas Eve and I absolutely dislike shopping at that busy hectic time of year it just ruins the fun of Christmas for me. I know alot of people think thats all part of it, but not for me.

Thankfully, thanks to my organised self this year I'm practically done already, and have only little bits and pieces left to purchase. Hooray for being so anal! Seeing as I have bought Penelopes gifts already I thought I would share with you some of the fun things I think any toddler would enjoy. Maybe you are stuck for ideas and need a helping hand for inspiration?

TOMY Aqua Doodle- Amazon: £16.99
For kiddies that love to draw and scribble this is such a fun non messy activity that I can see toddlers having alot of fun with. Perhaps even keeping them occupied for more than 5 minutes hehe. It's house friendly mums and dads. All you do is add a little water and draw with the special Aqua Doodle Pens that you get with it and it will mark with mat when your little one is drawing.Noahs Arch- Jo Jo Maman BeBe: £26.00
We actually purchased our one from Sainsburys for around £14.99 this is the best one I have found that is most similar to ours. I always loved the story of Noahs Arch and I cannot wait to play this with Penny.

VTechToot Toot Drivers New Garage- Smyths Toys: £36.99
What child would not love a good car going down ramps, through barriers, and that has interactive play? None. That's why this garage is perfect its so colourful and engaging. I haven't bought this particular set instead I bought the farm as Penelope is particularly interested in animals more so than cars. I thought this option was a wider choice for more children. I do often find Penny pacing across her playgroups to get to the car garages.Wooden Barn- Adsa Direct: £25.00
As I stated a moment ago my daughter is animal crazy, as I am sure alot of other little ones are. I saw this online and bought it instantly as I was actually planning to build something simular myself as all the others I had seen were far to pricey for what I wanted to spend. I came across this and its absolutely perfect for animal farm roll play.Melissa and Doug Lacing Beads- Amazon: £9.48
I have always had the belief since having Penny that there's no such thing as being too young for something. As long as your child is supervised and is behaving sensibly why not give them a try with these lacing beads. I know my daughter is still too young to be able to have the coordination to actually do this activity, but I am planning to sit with her letting her watch and give it a go, how else is she going to learn?Plastic Animals- Amazon: £5.94
These little guys are so adorable and will help educate and bring lots of fun to your childrens imaginative play. We already bought the barn and I thought these would be a great touch to add to it. They would make fantastic stocking fillers. We bought the Farm Set, Zoo Set, and I'm due to buy the Aqua Set.TOMY Mega Sketcher- Amazon: £14.95
Another tool to help my baby girl to draw, again with no mess and completely house safe. Amen. It includes some fun shape stamps and the drawings are easily erased. I liked this one as it was large enough so Penny can really get carried away with her scribbles. I had one of these when I was young so it was a definite must have for this Christmas,TeePee- Lullabuy: £105.95
I think every blogger knows about the teepee craze...heck I dont know if they still are a craze as most kids already have one. But, my little one didnt get hers last year for her birthday so this Christmas she can finally join in. We did not buy this one of course we bought the pinkest most floral one we could find. Sorry not sorry. This would of been my next choice as I love grey and this is perfect for either a girl or boy.

Sing Along CD Player- Early Learning Centre: £28.00
We got bought some hard back sing along CD books from Pennys grandad and considering this girl loves music, I'd never of thought about getting her a carry around microphone singalong CD player. Hello, its a dream. Penny is starting to 'sing' already at 16 months old. She loves dancing and singing so I thought this is a gift that she will love for a fair few years to come.

I hope you found this years gift guide in some way useful for your Christmas shopping lists, if you have more ideas let me know as I'd love to hear them.

It seems a little early to be posting about Christmas, but screw it. It's the best time of year!